Venezuela: State Courts Finds Fraud In Referendum Petition Signatures

Courts in the Venezuelan states of Aragua, Bolivar and Carabobo issued a ruling Oct. 20 that there had been fraud in the collection of signatures for a petition to recall President Nicolas Maduro, according the governors of the three states, El Estimulo and El Nacional reported. All three governors are members of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and reportedly allies of former National Assembly speaker Diosdado Cabello, who has also resisted the referendum bid. These decisions to invalidate the referendum process could threaten the opposition's attempt to recall the president and may pave the way for the much-rumored supreme court to rule the referendum invalid. The ruling party would face slim chances were a recall referendum to be held, and has been attempting to stonewall the attempt and insulate its power.